Article
Oncology
Harlyne Mpweme Bangando, Christophe Simard, Margaux Aize, Alexandre Lebrun, Alain Manrique, Romain Guinamard
Summary: This study evaluates the role of TRPM4 in irradiation-induced aortic valve damage. The results indicate that TRPM4 influences valvular remodeling caused by radiation therapy, suggesting it could be a potential target for preventing the side effects of irradiation.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Anna Winnicki, James Gadd, Vahagn Ohanyan, Gilbert Hernandez, Yang Wang, Molly Enrick, Hannah McKillen, Matthew Kiedrowski, Dipan Kundu, Karlina Kegecik, Marc Penn, William M. M. Chilian, Liya Yin, Feng Dong
Summary: This study demonstrates the involvement of endothelial CXCR4 in the development of aortic valve stenosis (AVS) and left ventricular hypertrophy. Deletion of CXCR4 in endothelial cells leads to increased aortic valve peak velocity and pressure gradient, as well as decreased aortic valve area and ejection fraction. The findings suggest that endothelial cell CXCR4 plays a crucial role in aortic valve development and function, and the EC CXCR4 KO mice can serve as a valuable model for AVS.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Teresa Sevilla, Noemi Ramos, Manuel Carnero, Ignacio J. Amat-Santos, Manuel Carrasco-Moraleja, Ana Revilla, Isidre Vilacosta, J. Alberto San Roman
Summary: There are differences between men and women in the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of aortic stenosis (AS). Women undergo aortic valve intervention (AVI) at a later stage than men, resulting in a higher frequency of heart failure readmissions during the follow-up period, but overall mortality is not increased.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Guillaume Rucher, Kevin Prigent, Christophe Simard, Anne-Marie Frelin, Maelle Coquemont-Guyot, Nicolas Elie, Nicolas Delcroix, Nicolas Perzo, Romain Guinamard, Ludovic Berger, Alain Manrique
Summary: This study assessed the effects of targeted radiation therapy on the aortic valve in mice and found that it resulted in remodeling of the aortic valve in ApoE(-/-) mice resembling human lesions. This preclinical model could be a valuable tool for evaluating therapeutic interventions in the future.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jurrien H. Kuneman, Gurpreet K. Singh, Stephan Milhorini Pio, Kensuke Hirasawa, David Hautemann, Frank van der Kley, Nina Ajmone Marsan, Juhani Knuuti, Victoria Delgado, Jeroen J. Bax
Summary: Sex differences in left ventricular remodeling and outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were examined in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Women demonstrated better outcome after TAVI compared with men, and men were more likely to have concentric remodeling. The interaction between left ventricular remodeling patterns and sex was not associated with survival.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Daniela Fliegner, Alexandra Ellieva, Anja Angelov, Georgi Petrov, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek
Summary: Sex differences in cardiac mitochondrial respiration were observed in humans with aortic stenosis, with females having higher respiration rates than males. In a mouse model, gonadectomy significantly decreased mitochondrial respiration in both female and male hearts. Estrogen and estrogen receptor beta were found to affect cardiac mitochondrial function in the mouse model, indicating their potential contribution to sex differences in the human heart.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Marie Schafstedde, Johannes Nordmeyer, Felix Berger, Christoph Knosalla, Philipp Mertins, Matthias Ziehm, Marie-Luise Kirchner, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Titus Kuehne, Milena Kraus, Sarah Nordmeyer
Summary: Animal studies have shown the important role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in pressure overload-induced myocardial hypertrophy and dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between DHT levels and myocardial hypertrophy and protein expression in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS). The findings suggest that DHT may be a target for preventing or attenuating adverse myocardial remodeling in patients with AS.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Graeme Prosperi-Porta, Virginia Nguyen, Nadav Willner, Julien Dreyfus, Helene Eltchaninoff, Ian G. Burwash, Morgane Michel, Eric Durand, Martine Gilard, Christel Dindorf, Bernard Iung, Alain Cribier, Alec Vahanian, Karine Chevreul, David Messika-Zeitoun
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the trends in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) uptake in France according to age and sex. The use of TAVR remained uncommon in young patients and predominantly restricted to high-risk individuals. Important sex differences were observed in patient demographics, selection of AVR modality, and patient outcomes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hyun-Uk Kang, Jae-Sik Nam, Dongho Kim, Kyungmi Kim, Ji-Hyun Chin, In-Cheol Choi
Summary: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of male and female patients with severe AS undergoing SAVR and found that female patients had a significantly better long-term survival rate.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Philip Sarajlic, Oscar Plunde, Anders Franco-Cereceda, Magnus Back
Summary: Male and female aortic stenosis patients exhibit distinct valvular phenotypes, and using artificial intelligence to analyze stenotic aortic valve data can accurately predict calcification occurrence and identify sex-dependent contributors.
JACC-BASIC TO TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Parth P. Patel, Abdallah El Sabbagh, Patrick W. Johnson, Rayan Suliman, Najiyah Salwa, Andrea Carolina Morales-Lara, Peter Pollak, Mohamad Yamani, Pragnesh Parikh, Sushilkumar K. Sonavane, Carolyn Landolfo, Mohamad Adnan Alkhouli, Mackram F. Eleid, Mayra Guerrero, F. David Fortuin, John Sweeney, Peter A. Noseworthy, Rickey E. Carter, Demilade Adedinsewo
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of sex differences in aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) on long-term mortality following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The results demonstrate a notable sex difference in the association between AVCS and long-term mortality, particularly among women. This study highlights the potential value of AVCS in preprocedural risk stratification, specifically among women undergoing TAVR.
CIRCULATION-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2022)
Review
Biology
Matteo Lisi, Maria Concetta Pastore, Alessio Fiorio, Matteo Cameli, Giulia Elena Mandoli, Francesca Maria Righini, Luna Cavigli, Flavio D'Ascenzi, Marta Focardi, Andrea Rubboli, Gianluca Campo, Sergio Mondillo, Michael Y. Henein
Summary: This review discusses the remodeling of the left ventricle and left atrium in AS patients, as well as the changes before and after aortic valve replacement. It also examines the usefulness of myocardial strain analysis in this clinical setting.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Flavien Vincent, Julien Ternacle, Tom Denimal, Mylene Shen, Bjorn Redfors, Cedric Delhaye, Matheus Simonato, Nicolas Debry, Basile Verdier, Bahira Shahim, Thibault Pamart, Hugues Spillemaeker, Guillaume Schurtz, Francois Pontana, Vinod H. Thourani, Philippe Pibarot, Eric Van Belle
Summary: TAVR is rapidly expanding its indications, but faces technical challenges and knowledge gaps when dealing with patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Physicians need to understand the BAV anatomy and TAVR procedure planning comprehensively to guide treatment decisions.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yujin Yang, Jung-Min Ahn, Do-Yoon Kang, Euihong Ko, Seonok Kim, Tae Oh Kim, Ju Hyeon Kim, Junghoon Lee, Seung-Ah Lee, Dae-Hee Kim, Ho Jin Kim, Joon Bum Kim, Suk Jung Choo, Seung-Jung Park, Duk-Woo Park
Summary: In patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) assessed by Cornell criteria was significantly associated with lower risks of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE), all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Louise Linde, Rasmus Carter-Storch, Nicolaj Lyhne Christensen, Kristian Altern Ovrehus, Axel Cosmus Pyndt Diederichsen, Kristian Laursen, Pia Sondergaard Jensen, Lars Melholt Rasmussen, Jacob Eifer Moller, Jordi Sanchez Dahl
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the correlation and sex differences between total valve calcium, valve calcium concentration, and aortic valve calcification in explanted valves from patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. The results showed that the AVC score provides a strong estimate for total valve calcium, but to a lesser degree calcium concentration in the valve tissue. Females had lower valvular calcium concentrations than males regardless of AS severity.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Cinzia Perrino, Peter Ferdinandy, Hans E. Botker, Bianca J. J. M. Brundel, Peter Collins, Sean M. Davidson, Hester M. den Ruijter, Felix B. Engel, Eva Gerdts, Henrique Girao, Mariann Gyongyosi, Derek J. Hausenloy, Sandrine Lecour, Rosalinda Madonna, Michael Marber, Elizabeth Murphy, Maurizio Pesce, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Joost P. G. Sluijter, Sabine Steffens, Can Gollmann-Tepekoylu, Linda W. Van Laake, Sophie Van Linthout, Rainer Schulz, Kirsti Ytrehus
Summary: Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of death in both men and women, with sex playing an important role in various aspects of the disease. Differences in risk factors and comorbidities between males and females can impact the development and prognosis of IHD, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these differences are not well understood. Future research should focus on investigating these sex-specific differences to improve prediction and prevention of IHD in both genders.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jan-Philipp Minol, Vanessa Dimitrova, Georgi Petrov, Robert Langner, Udo Boeken, Artur Lichtenberg, Payam Akhyari
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the predictive value of body mass index (BMI) in isolated minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. The results showed that BMI was a significant predictor for wound healing disorders, but inferior to EuroSCORE II and STS score in predicting mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year. Therefore, BMI should not be the sole factor considered in treatment decision-making for non-underweight patients with isolated mitral valve regurgitation.
THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEON
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Carolyn Weber, Maximilian Luehr, Georgi Petrov, Martin Misfeld, Payam Akhyari, Sems-Malte Tugtekin, Mahmoud Diab, Shekhar Saha, Ahmed Elderia, Artur Lichtenberg, Christian Hagl, Torsten Doenst, Klaus Matschke, Michael A. Borger, Thorsten Wahlers
Summary: The incidence of mitral valve IE and Streptococcus-related IE has significantly increased since 2009. Patients undergoing surgical procedures for IE present with more comorbidities, contributing to higher mortality rates.
ANNALS OF THORACIC SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Ahmed Haider, Susan Bengs, Angela Portmann, Alexia Rossi, Hazem Ahmed, Dominik Etter, Geoffrey Warnock, Nidaa Mikail, Muriel Gramer, Alexander Meisel, Livio Gisler, Caitlin Jie, Claudia Keller, Sebastian Kozerke, Bruno Weber, Roger Schibli, Linjing Mu, Philipp A. Kaufmann, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Simon M. Ametamey, Catherine Gebhard
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of female and male sex hormones on myocardial perfusion and coronary flow reserve. The experimental data in mice indicate that testosterone plays a primary role in sex differences in myocardial perfusion.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Valentin Max Vetter, Christian Humberto Kalies, Yasmine Sommerer, Dominik Spira, Johanna Drewelies, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Lars Bertram, Denis Gerstorf, Ilja Demuth
Summary: This study evaluated the associations between DNA methylation age acceleration (DNAmAA) and relative leukocyte telomere length (rLTL) with functional assessments of aging. The results showed no evidence of significant associations between these molecular biomarkers and functional impairments over a 7-year time course. Similarly, cross-sectional analysis did not show associations between DNAmAA and functional assessments. This suggests that these biomarkers may not be good predictors of functional decline and health deterioration.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Anne Pohrt, Friederike Kendel, Ilja Demuth, Johanna Drewelies, Tauseef Nauman, Hassan Behlouli, Gertraud Stadler, Louise Pilote, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Denis Gerstorf
Summary: This study aimed to develop a gender score that can be used to separate the effects of gender versus biological sex in a sample of older adults. The gender score was constructed using logistic regression and used as an adjustment and matching variable. Results showed that female sex was independently associated with lower grip strength, better cognitive performance, higher pulse wave velocity, lower body mass index, and lower rates of metabolic syndrome. Both sex and gender were also independently associated with cognitive performance and depression.
PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Daponte-Codina, Emily C. Knox, Inmaculada Mateo-Rodriguez, Amanda Seims, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Angela H. E. M. Maas, Alan White, Floris Barnhoorn, Fernando Rosell-Ortiz
Summary: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in Europe and the most common cardiovascular disease. A study on awareness of CAD revealed that women are less likely to consider heart disease as a main health issue or leading cause of death, and are less likely to have had cardiovascular screening tests. Additionally, many individuals have limited knowledge of heart attack symptoms and proper emergency response actions. Factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and education level also play a significant role in awareness levels across both genders. Developing a targeted European strategy to improve CAD awareness and reduce gender and social disparities is therefore essential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Alexia Rossi, Nidaa Mikail, Susan Bengs, Ahmed Haider, Valerie Treyer, Ronny Ralf Buechel, Susanne Wegener, Katrin Rauen, Ahmed Tawakol, C. Noel Bairey Merz, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Catherine Gebhard
Summary: There is a close interaction between the heart and the brain, regulated by various physiological and neurohumoral circuits. Current evidence suggests that this interaction is more pronounced in women. Cardiovascular and brain diseases are common conditions, and gender differences can affect the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, and treatment responses of these diseases.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Regina von Rennenberg, Thomas Liman, Christian H. Nolte, Alexander H. Nave, Jan F. Scheitz, Sandra Duezel, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Denis Gerstorf, Elisabeth Steinhagen-Thiessen, Ilja Demuth, Matthias Endres
Summary: There is evidence of an association between levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and cognitive decline in older men, as measured by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). This association remained significant even after adjusting for age, sex, education, and cardiovascular risk factors. However, there was no significant association between hs-cTnT and different cognitive domains at baseline.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Marie Schafstedde, Johannes Nordmeyer, Felix Berger, Christoph Knosalla, Philipp Mertins, Matthias Ziehm, Marie-Luise Kirchner, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Titus Kuehne, Milena Kraus, Sarah Nordmeyer
Summary: Animal studies have shown the important role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in pressure overload-induced myocardial hypertrophy and dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between DHT levels and myocardial hypertrophy and protein expression in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS). The findings suggest that DHT may be a target for preventing or attenuating adverse myocardial remodeling in patients with AS.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Catherine Gebhard
Summary: Despite a growing body of evidence, the distinct contributions of biological sex and the sociocultural dimension of gender to ischaemic heart disease and heart failure are still unknown. This Review summarizes contemporary evidence on the effects of sex and gender on cardiovascular disease, highlighting their impact on pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment responses in patients with ischaemic heart disease or heart failure. The authors also emphasize the need for further exploration of sex-related and gender-related factors, particularly in individuals with gender dysphoria.
NATURE REVIEWS CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jan Kroon, Shokoufeh Mahmoodzadeh, Christine Helsen
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nicola Lott, Caroline E. Gebhard, Susan Bengs, Ahmed Haider, Gabriela M. Kuster, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, Catherine Gebhard
Summary: This review summarizes the roles of androgens, estrogens, and progesterone in the regulation of virus entry receptors and disease progression of COVID-19, as well as their therapeutic value. Currently, there is no clear evidence for a sex-specific expression of virus entry receptors, and the impact of sex hormones on COVID-19 varies widely. The conflicting evidence and lack of consensus may be due to a lack of mechanistic studies and clinical trials reporting sex-disaggregated data. Furthermore, the influence of sociocultural factors (gender) on COVID-19 manifestations has not been investigated.
NATURE REVIEWS ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Awa Naghipour, Marcel Gemander, Eva Becher, Sabine Oertelt-Prigione
Summary: This study aims to analyze the incorporation of sex-related and gender-related knowledge into European internal medicine clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and translate it into tailored recommendations. A two-step approach will be used to identify relevant CPGs through direct contact with organizations and PubMed search. Machine-assisted text mining will be employed to collect structured data, and two independent coders will manually review identified texts using a developed checklist. This study does not require ethics board approval and will provide an overview of sex and gender considerations in European CPGs in the field of internal medicine from 2012 to 2022.
Article
Cell Biology
Maria Luisa Barcena, Greta Tonini, Natalie Haritonow, Pavelas Breiter, Hendrik Milting, Istvan Baczko, Ursula Mueller-Werdan, Yury Ladilov, Vera Regitz-Zagrosek
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effects of sex and age on mitochondrial homeostasis, inflammation, and cellular senescence. The results show that AMPK expression and phosphorylation are significantly increased in male cardiac tissue from patients with inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMI), while Sirt1 expression remains unchanged in all groups. In older female patients, the expression of mitochondrial genes is significantly reduced. Additionally, inflammatory markers NF-κB and TLR4 are downregulated in older male DCMI patients, but IL-18 expression is increased in older female patients, accompanied by accelerated senescence in older DCMI hearts.
